Political parties and candidates in Ondo State on Friday signed, pledging a commitment to peaceful conduct in the upcoming November 16 governorship election.
The event, held at the International Culture and Event Centre in Akure, was organized by the National Peace Committee under the leadership of former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Attending parties included the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Action Democratic Party, and Zenith Labour Party, among others.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, emphasized the importance of adhering to the peace pact, urging candidates to uphold their commitment to a fair election.
“Your commitment to the implementation of this peace accord is critical,” Yakubu said. “As you sign, ensure your supporters at all levels comply.”
Yakubu also addressed logistics for election day, noting that INEC has made extensive arrangements to ensure smoother operations across Ondo’s 3,933 polling units and collation centers.
He highlighted the use of boats for transporting materials in riverine areas like Ese Odo and Ilaje, while trucks, four-wheel drives, and motorcycles will be deployed for other areas. “Voters in Ondo State should expect a marked improvement in both logistics and result management on election day,” Yakubu added.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, Deputy Inspector General Sylvester Abiodun shared that a total of 34,657 police officers would be deployed across Ondo’s 18 local government areas, with support from other security agencies to bring the total to 43,157 personnel.
“Each polling unit will have a security presence, with four officers allocated per unit to ensure order and safety throughout the voting process,” Abiodun explained.
NPC Chairman Abdulsalami Abubakar appealed to candidates to uphold a peaceful election, calling on them to “shun violence and intimidation” and embrace sportsmanship.
He commended the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security for its efforts to maintain peace in the lead-up to the election.
Speaking for the candidates, Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who is running on the APC ticket, pledged to respect electoral laws and uphold the peaceful atmosphere. “We hope this peace will be sustained throughout the election and beyond,” he said, urging all parties to honor the peace accord and work towards a fair election process.
